Learning the Japanese language requires daily practice. Can I keep it up until 2009's JLPT 2 test? Definitely.

About So Ka So Ka

This blog is now a tool for me to keep on track with my daily Japanese studies. I will occasionally post new vocabulary as I learn it, or maybe I will post Japanese diary entries. Who knows? This is the Internet--anything can happen.

In order to get money, the robber ordered "Your money or your life!" at knifepoint.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of your grandfather's death.

A turtle's lifespan is exceedingly long.

The father named the child "Katsu".

Radicals:

命 has the same widespread cover as 今 and 会 and all those. It also has a 口 radical. Plus, it looks suspiciously like 令, which means order, dictum (see 命令).

So 命 is a place to gather and be told what to do? I'd prefer to look at it as my kanjinetworks.com site describes it: your life (命) is your calling (mouth 口 + 令 order from a deity).

Bonus:

When I was in Ishikawa-ken on one of the most relaxing, pleasant beaches I've ever been to, a group of three Japanese guys came up to me. They noticed I was (a) a foreigner and (b) taking pictures, so the leader, in his Abercrombie shirt and sort-of sideways cap, started talking to me in little bits of English.

They eventually asked if I wanted to take their picture. I said sure, though I hadn't really been planning on it. They thought about what pose they should make, and then the leader said "いんち!" and made this pose.

They were imitating a Japanese comedian, who was himself imitating the kanji of 命. The arms are the cover, the legs are 口 and the other bit.